This is going to be a hella short chapter because for some odd reason I can't seem to write lately, lol. I need inspiration!
Warning, this chapter is a blur of events and the transitions can be confusing.

Percy's POV,
I watched as waves crashed into the shore, curling in on themselves before slamming into the sandy beach. Sometimes I felt like the waves; always shifting, seeming peaceful at first before getting smashed into the ground with an unexpected force. Growing higher than the other parts of the water before being forced back down in pain.

        It had been five months since the day Jason first forgot. Five months since my world started to fall apart. Five long, treacherous, agonizing, tear worthy months of pain. I was done. I was going to leave. Today.

My feet dig into the sand as I pushed myself up and off the ground. I walk away from the lake not bothering to give it another glance... just as they did to me.

Somehow I found my way to the Poseidon cabin. I sat down on my bed and stared at the ceiling though all the lights were off. In an absent minded drift, I grabbed a lighter and the photo of my Mom and me before sitting down at the desk.

I stared at the photo with a nostalgic feeling taking over me. In the photo Mom and I were out at Montauk standing in front of the waves. Both of us were frozen mid-laugh and clinging to each other. Little eleven year old me and my caring mother. That's all it was back then.

I pulled out the lighter I had with me and lit the candle in front of me with a click of a button. The flames light filled the room, consuming the darkness and all my attention. I lowered my head so my eyes were level with the candle, a sad smile creeping across my face.

"Happy eighteenth birthday Percy," I said to myself in a low whisper. The candle snuffed out and darkness enclosed me.

-:-

The sea prince.

That's what the fish normally said when I sank to the bottoms of Long Islands lake. Today the mummers were different.

He does not look like the sea prince.

Is he why the water is grey?

Why does he look so sad?

That's ridiculous. Why would he be sad on his birthday?

Those were just a few. The list goes on but most of the fishes whispers were about my glum state. Who could blame them? Percy Jackson doesn't sulk around. He doesn't cry at the bottom of the lake. Percy Jackson is funny and bright. He's the sarcastic hero who seems untouchable to any dark emotion.

But is there a Percy Jackson anymore?

That seemed to be a though that chased me around everywhere, even in the dark depths of dreams that now held terrors worse than Tartarus.

"Who am I?"

The sea prince. A certain fish responded. It seemed to look me dead in the eye as he 'spoke.' Though, you do not look nor act like our prince anymore, you are still him.

I nearly laugh at how ridiculous it was to be taking advice from a fish. "I'm not sure about that. The others don't seem to believe there ever was a Percy Jackson."

So that is what bothers you lately? The fish mused. Do not believe what the others say. However, I was not talking about Percy Jackson. Yes, he is still here in you, very deeply hidden and tucked away, not to come out for a long time to come. But, I was talking about the prince of the oceans. You will always be him. The sea and its inhabitants shall forever remain loyal to you, your name not forgotten in our waters.

I looked at my feet resting on the lakes sandy floor. Perhaps the fish was right.

"That means a lot," I say finally after several seconds. The fish seemed to bob their head in my direction. As it swam away I heard his voice call out to me one last thing before leaving me alone to my thoughts.

Remember, the sea does not follow Percy Jackson but instead the heart within him.

-:-

My feet dragged me into the stables and since I allowed myself to get wet, the water dripped off of me. I dragged my hand across the stable doors letting my knuckles rap against the wood.

The air smelled faintly of oats and oddly some sort of chemical (probably something to polish hooves, ward of fleas or whatever you horsey people do). The barn was damp, as per usual, but the view onto the lake we not nearly as beautiful as it used to be.

       I reached the familiar stall that contained my favourite Pegasus. I smiled sadly. I wish I was here for reasons other than to say goodbye. Nevertheless, I had to do this.

      Who are you? Blackjack neighed when my hand reached out to brush against his mane. I sighed in disappointment. I had hoped that maybe... ah, who was I kidding.

       "No one," I tell with zero emotion. I had learned a while ago there was no point in arguing, it only made things worse.

       Do you have donuts?

       I frowned and pet his back. "No."

       Are you here to fly me? Blackjack asked with puzzlement clear in his voice. I continued to gaze at my hand stroking his fur with a still expression.

      "No."

      Then why are you here? I looked up at this and my eyes locked with the Pegasus. Why was I here? To settle something that had already ended? To say goodbye to something that won't remember?

      "I don't know," I said. The winged horse gave me a strange look before going back to munching on his hay. In the quiet mid day we stood together, not minding each other. I was surprised that Blackjack could even see me. It seemed like everyone else was under some spell that rendered me invisible. Of course, they were all probably just taking it so they didn't have to deal with me. Lucky for them, after today I'll be gone.

       "Do you remember the princess Andromeda?" I blurted our suddenly. Blackjack gave me an odd look. "Do you remember how you came to camp?"

       I've always been here... born and raised. Why? He said and my hand lowered to my side.

      "No reason," I said as I walked away. I stopped at the barn exit and glanced back at my old friend one last time. "It was nice knowing you, Blackjack."

                                        -:-

To all those who won't remember,

I wrote down at the top of the page. I tapped the pencil on my desk and clenched my jaw.

You won't remember my name, you won't remember what I did, Who I was, where I was from, what I meant to you. You probably won't remember there ever being a son of Poseidon. You won't remember the child of the prophecy, one of the seven. You won't remember your friend.

I bit back tears knowing the words written down were true. That was why I was going to leave. That was why I couldn't say goodbye in person and instead was writing this stupid note.

After this I would head to my moms and live with her and Paul but I would never really leave this place. A price of me will always remember and belong to camp and the people in it.

No matter what I do, I will remember. I will remember your smiles, your faces, your victory's, your deaths. I'll remember how much I loved you and how easily you forgot me.

Now the pain came like nails being pounded into my shattering heart. I would always remember the feeling since it seemed to come constantly everyday.

I'll remember the pain, I'll feel it even in the happy memories. I will forever remember what it felt like to sit alone at dinner as your voices filled my ears, I could hear you and see you but you wouldn't notice me. I will remember how I could scream but you wouldn't hear, I could call your name and you might as well have been deaf. I will remember how you passed through me like I was mist, nothing to you. You won't remember any of it.

Tears were streaming out of my eyes now. The liquid pain from my eyes fell in droplets onto the paper effortlessly. They were silent tears but often those are some of most painful.

I never wanted to be the hero, I just wanted the ones I love to be with me... but I don't even get that anymore, do I? When will it ever be enough? I put my life on the line thousands of times. I do everything to protect the ones I love. My fatal flaw is loyalty and yet still, it isn't enough for you? I'm still not worth it, I still can be forgotten.

I paused to think of how my life would have turned out if I'd never met Grover, never came to camp, never was a son of Poseidon. I would probably finishing my last year of high school... alone. Just as I was alone now.

The worst feeling in the world is watching everyone you love slip away and know you can't do anything about it. It will tear you up from the inside out until you feel like nothing but a shell. Tear tracks will stain your face and no matter what you do you still go unnoticed. That feeling... that's the feeling of fading. I have that feeling, and you put it there. I will remember you. I will remember your life. I will remember your story. I will remember my love for you. I will remember the pain you gave me. I will remember how you forgot. You will read this and won't know who the son of Poseidon was. You won't know the boy who got expelled from every school he went to. You know the boy who saved you. You won't know the boy who loved you. You won't know me, you won't even know who wrote this letter. So, to all those that don't remember, I will never forget you like how you forgot me.

-Percy Jackson

I crossed out the name before erasing it completely. I stared at the broken words with tears in my eyes. That name didn't fit anymore. I scribbled down more in my messy writing.

-the one who you forgot.

And it was completely true. I folded up the letter and stared at it for what felt like forever only to be interrupting by the familiar blow of the camps horn. A new camper...

I threw the letter in my bed and slipped riptide into my pocket before running off to meet the new kid.

Once outside and I front of the big house I could make out a girl with blonde hair and striking grey eyes dragging an unfamiliar boy by the hand. Annabeth had a bright smile on her face while the boy- who I later learned to be named Scott- stumbled clumsily behind her.

I walked up to the two and erased my sad expression from my face, replacing it with one of forced joy. Maybe he could see me. May e he wouldn't pretend to not know me... maybe we could be friends, as stupid as that sounds. For a moment so had hope... though it didn't last long.

I held my hand out to Scott and smiled. "My names Percy Jack-"

I didn't get to finish. He walked past- no, through me. His and Annabeth's joined hands passed through me as if I turned to sit. It felt like that. For a moment all I could feel was shock but then the pain came.

It felt sad though every piece of me was fading away. Vaporizing into a mist that was easy to pass through. It hurt so bad. So bad. I did the only thing I could in that moment. I screamed.

My lungs ached as I poured my soul into a gut wrenching cry that spread out for miles, pleading for something, anything... but no one heard me. I'd truly faded...

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That has to be a crappy Birthday. Anyways, I updated. Yay! I'm really busy with writing between this, the downhill climb (also on wattpad), one shots (will be on wattpad soon) and the devils right hand (again, will be on wattpad soon).

Plus, over the past four weeks I've been reading through the entire shadowhunter novels. I'm currently on the dark artifices and have been kind of preoccupied with that so sorry for slow updates.

How are y'all doing? I hope you guys are staying safe and healthy. To all those graduating or just ending school for the year, congratulations!

Stay healthy!
Last update: 15/06/2020